Yes the lime is right. My local home depot only has miracle grow perlite, which is not ideal - it's too fine is the main problem, and it also has "nutrients" - this probably isn't so bad, but the particle size is the real issue.

Around here, the common perlite thats superior and in many local nurseries (but not my local big boxes) is hoffman. It's much better.

Try hydroponic store for perlite (they usually carry few sizes)

The weather is warming, the sun is shining, birds are tweeting...Spring is in the air! :D

I've decided to make my first batch(es) of 5-1-1 mix this summer! :P

For the ingredients, I've decided to use Repti-bark for the bark, either sphagnum peat or potting soil for the peat part, and the perlite I currently have (not very large sized). Once summer arrives, I'll begin mixing my first batch! ;)